Structural integrity, flexibility and permeability of cell membrane are crucial for any organism and diabetes is primarily a result of an improper cell membrane structure. This may surprise the mainstream which is obsessed with insulin based theories such as pancreas not producing enough insulin to meet body’s needs. Real problem in Type 2 diabetes is not lack of insulin but in most instances an excess of insulin which is ineffective against hardened cell membrane. When insulin knocks at the cellular door, a series of chemical reactions activate glucose transporters and for simplicity, let us discuss GLUT 4, which travel from inside of the cell towards membrane to facilitate glucose entry into the cell. The pathway all along is heavily a fat based construction on which these transporters go through.

It may be surprising to the fat haters who blame everything on fats, but in reality our cellular membrane structures are heavily dependent on fats as the structural element. If these are Omega 3 fatty acids, the cell membrane structure is supple and flexible enough for easy entry of not only sugar but other necessary molecules. If the body does not get sufficient amounts of these Omega 3 fatty acids, it substitutes whatever fats it is supplied with. These may be trans fats, hydrogenated oils, short and medium chain fatty acids. All these pose problems for proper entry of sugar and insulin becomes less effective as the GLUT 4 will have difficult passage to go through the stiffened membranes of wrong fats. Trace element Chromium helps to a certain extent to ease this condition, but it can only go so far under wrong structural integrity to begin with which is the main problem of diabetes.

This requires a paradigm shift in thinking on how to address the fundamental issue in diabetes which is the improper cell membrane. Diabetes is the result of food industry’s profit oriented thinking of long shelf life with wrong fats such as trans fats, hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated, short and medium chain fatty acids at the expense of long term health consequences of the population. This is only the partial story, as there is the other main culprit which is an extensive and indiscriminate use and promotion of refined sugars based products all over the super market shelves beyond what is a reasonable limit if any.

More later in the coming days…

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John Beard, a Scottish biologist in the early 1900s theorized a Trophoblast Cell theory of cancer based on his observations. As per his observations, several stem cell like cells are left over in our bodies as a repair and rebuild mechanism. These get into action as an initial patch up material when the body is under attack of any sorts such as environmental pollutants, pathogens or improper life style factors.  There are two pancreatic enzymes called Trypsin and it’s precursor Chymotrypsin which if present in sufficient quantities, can help digest these trophoblast cells and the body’s other repair mechanisms will deal with the rest of the repairs needed.  When the pancreas loses it’s ability to produce Trypsin and Chymotrypsin in sufficient quantities, the trophoblast cells go unchecked and form cancerous tumors. John Beard carried several experiments with pancreatic juices of animals and confirmed his findings but these experiments could not be repeated successfully by others due to sensitive nature of these enzymes and not following the same procedures as he did.

Let us leave the controversy to let it take it’s own course, but one can always benefit enormously by strengthening the functioning of the pancreas as it is often an overlooked, overburdened and excessively misused organ of the body. It is involved in enzymes production and insulin production which play very important roles in our health. First one can take the stress off on the pancreas a bit by going easy on the sugars, refined carbohydrates and eating a balanced diet rich with nutrients. Second one can help the pancreas by consuming enzyme rich food such as sprouts so that it can use those precious enzymes in addressing important issues such as digesting trophoblast cells there by arresting  cancer before it becomes an out of control issue. A good quality systemic enzyme supplement such as Wobenzyme and other digestive enzyme supplements may be considered to give the pancreas a bit of help. Pancreas has high concentrations of Coenzyme Q10. A good quality Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin C along with heavy metal chelators such as IP6 will go a long way in renewing and jump starting the health and well being of the pancreas so that it can take care of body’s vital needs.

We will examine these issues in detail again in future posts when related topics of interest arise.

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Here are the details on main ingredients in curbing the menace of Advanced Glycosylation Endproducts.

Benfotiamine

Benfotiamine (S-benzyolthiamine-O-monophosphate) is a lipid soluble,
biologically active form of thiamin (vitamin B-1). It belongs to the
family of compounds known as allithiamines, which are found in crushed
garlic. Benfotiamine raises the levels of thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP)
which is the co-enzymated form of thiamin and also stimulates
transkotelase an enzyme responsible for maintenance of normal glucose
metabolic pathways. The activation of the enzyme transketolase, turns
triosephosphates which are glucose-derived compounds into chemicals
that are harmless. Thiamin activates it at level around 20%, which
isn’t enough to stop the glucose-derived compounds accumulating in
healthy cells where as Benfotiamine increases the levels of
transketolase by 300%! Benfotiamine prevents nerve and blood-vessel
damage caused by a build-up of sugar in the tissues. Benfotiamine
helps maintain integrity and health of cells in the presence of blood
glucose and controls formation of Advanced Glycation End products
(AGEs).

Vitacost’s NSI, Source Naturals carry Benfotiamine.

Pyridoxamine

Pyridoxamine is one of the three naturally occurring vitamin B6’s along
with pyridoxal and pyridoxine. Pyridoxamine is a potent natural
substance to inhibit glycosylation. In animal models, pyridoxamine has
inhibited development and progression of diabetic nephropathy and
kidney disorders for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Pyridoxamine is
also useful in addressing Advanced Lipoxidation Endproducts (ALE’s)
which is thought to be a precursor to atherosclerosis.

Jarrow Formulas produces Pyridoxamine product under the name Pyridoxall.

L-Carnosine

Carnosine is a combination of the amino acids beta-alanine and l-histidine. Carnosine is an important protector against bad side effects of the very things that life depends on such as oxygen, glucose, lipids, protein, trace metals. It protects the proteins of the body by acting as an antioxidant, anti-glycating, metal chelating agent. Carnosine’s structure is supposed to resemble glycation sites on proteins, there by accepting the damage and disposing off the damaging glycation end products.

Vitacost’s NSI, Jarrow Formulas, GNC, Source Naturals carry L-Carnosine.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Acetyl-L-Carnitine is the biologically active form of L-Carnitine and readily crosses blood brain barrier. Acetyl-L-Carnitine has been shown in animal models to suppress glycation and reduce advanced glycation end products.

Swanson, Jarrows Formulas, Vitacost’s NSI, Source Naturals, GNC, Vitaminshoppe carry Acetyl-L-Carnitine.

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The first and foremost important thing any diabetic, potential diabetic, insulin resistant or for that matter any person should consider is to stop the damage caused by Advanced Glycosylation Endproducts known as AGEs. Advanced Glycosylation Endproducts are formed when the proteins in our body are exposed to sugars particularly of sustained hyperglycemic phase. The damage of AGEs can be understood by looking at an example of how cooking food with sugar toughens them, similarly proteins in our body get inflexible by forming what are known as cross links.

Imagine how difficult it becomes for various organs to function properly if their protein fibers have become inflexible, roughened, damaged due to such cross linking of sugars and proteins. Advanced Glycosylation Endproducts are behind many degenerative disease processes suffered by diabetics and also of the general population such as  cardio vascular disease, kidney disease, cataracts, retinopathy, neuropathy, Alzheimer’s Dementia, impaired wound healing etc.

It’s of paramount importance to stop this process before it gets too far damaging various organ systems of the body. It’s often an overlooked aspect in conventional world and goes without any attention till the major damages start manifesting themselves in one disease or the other. But any sensible approach should address AGEs as the first step. When the house is on fire, one does not keep asking what, when, how kind of questions, but put the flames off first and save whatever, then think of the rest. It’s kind of similar situation with diabetes and damage due to Advanced Glycosylation Endproducts.

The following are supposed to play a key role in addressing Advanced Glycosylation Endproducts.

Benfotiamine

Pyridoxamine

L-Carnosine

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

We will examine what these are and how they can proactively limit the ravages of Advanced Glycosylation Endproducts in detail in the coming days…

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